LESSON 1 - INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL

ILLNESS

INTRODUCTION

Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It is all about how
people think, feel, and behave. People sometimes use the term “mental health” to mean the
absence of a mental disorder. Mental health can affect daily living, relationships, and physical
health. Factors in people’s lives, interpersonal connections, and physical factors can all
contribute to mental health disruptions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Understand the definition of mental health.

2. Recognize the significance of understanding mental health.
3. Understand the implications of stigma on mental illness.
4. Describe the different treatment aspects of mental illness.

COURSE MATERIALS

What is Mental Health?

Mental health describes a level of psychological well-being, or an absence of a mental

disorder. The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which
the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can
work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community".

There are different types of mental health problems, some of which are common, such
as depression and anxiety disorders, and some not so common, such as schizophrenic and
Bipolar disorder. Most recently, the field of Global Mental health has emerged, which has been
defined as the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving mental
health and achieving equity in mental health for all people worldwide.

Significance

Evidence from the World Health Organization suggests that nearly half the world’s
population are affected by mental illness with an impact on their self-esteem, relationships and
ability to function in everyday life. An individual’s emotional health can also impact physical
health and poor mental health can lead to problems such as substance abuse. The importance
of maintaining good mental health is crucial to living a long and healthy life. Good mental health
can enhance one’s life, while poor mental health can prevent someone from living a normal life.

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 The importance of maintaining good mental health is crucial to living a long and healthy
life. Good mental health can enhance one’s life, while poor mental health can prevent someone
from living a normal life.

Mental Illness as a Stigma

Stigma is defined as a sign of disgrace or discredit, which sets a person apart from
others. The stigma of mental illness, although more often related to context than to a person’s
appearance, remains a powerful negative attribute in all social relations. Mental illness, despite
centuries of learning and the ‘Decade of the Brain’, is still perceived as an indulgence, a sign of
weakness. Self-stigmatization has been described, and there are numerous personal accounts
of psychiatric illness, where shame overrides even the most extreme of symptoms.

Other Contributing Features

Social and environmental causes. These might be things such as:

 Where we live,
 Our place of work,
 Whether we have close family and friends or
 How and where we can relax.

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Where we live

The physical environment where we live can be very stressful, particularly when there
are problems with neighbours, or if there are high crime rates and other such issues.

Where you work

Whether you enjoy your work, or feel you are under too much pressure, are unable to
find employment or hold down a job, can all put pressure on your mental well-being.

Families and Friends

When we face difficult times our support networks become very important – those who
do not have close friends or families, or those who do not live near the people who support them
may find it increasingly difficult to cope alone.

How and when to relax

All these kinds of problems will increase the amount of stress people are under, and can
cause depression and anxiety especially in situations where people don’t have a time or a place
to relax.

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Psychological Signs and Symptoms

 Feeling sad or down

 Confused thinking
 Excessive fears or worries
 Withdrawal from friends and activities
 Problems sleeping
 Detachment from reality (delusions) or hallucinations
 Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
 Alcohol or drug abuse
 Significant changes in eating habits
 Sex drive changes
 Excessive anger, hostility or violence
 Suicidal thinking

Physical Signs and Symptoms

 Fatigue
 Back pain
 Chest pain
 Digestive problems
 Dry mouth
 Headache
 Sweating
 Weight gain or loss
 Rapid heart rate
 Dizziness

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Treatment Aspect of Mental Illness

 The initial assessment

 The role of psychiatrists and general practitioners
 Help is available through both public and private health care
 Treatment with medication
 Psychological treatment
 Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
 Interpersonal psychotherapy
 Dialectical behavior therapy

Treatment with Medication

Medications are mainly helpful for people who are more seriously affected by mental
illness. Different types of medication treat different types of mental illness:

Antidepressant medications – about 60 to 70 per cent of people with depression respond

to initial antidepressant treatment. These medications are now also used (in combination with
psychological therapies) to treat phobias, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and
eating disorders.
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 Antipsychotic medications – are used to treat psychotic illnesses, for example
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Newer antipsychotic medications may have some side
effects, but tend to have fewer of the effects that were associated with the older medications, for
example stiffening and weakening of the muscles and muscle spasms.

Mood stabilizing medications – are helpful for people who have bipolar disorder
(previously known as manic depression). These medications, such as lithium carbonate, can
help reduce the recurrence of major depression and can help reduce the manic or ‘high’
episodes

Other Forms of Treatment

Effective treatment involves more than medications. Treatment may also involve:

Community support – including information, accommodation, help with finding suitable

work, training and education, psychosocial rehabilitation and mutual support groups.
Understanding and acceptance by the community is very important.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – this treatment can be a highly effective treatment for
severe depression and, sometimes, for other diagnoses when other treatments have not been
effective. After the person is given a general anaesthetic and muscle relaxant, an electrical
current is passed through their brain

Hospitalization – this only occurs when a person is acutely ill and needs intensive
treatment for a short time. It is considered better for a person’s mental health to treat them in the
community, in their familiar surroundings.

Involuntary treatment – this can occur when the psychiatrist recommends someone
needs treatment but the person doesn’t agree. In general, people receive involuntary treatment
to ensure their own safety or that of others.

Mental Health Services

 Early diagnosis and treatment

 Rehabilitation
 Group and individual psychotherapy
 Mental health education
 Use of modern psychoactive drugs
 After care services

SUGGESTED READINGS/REFERENCES:

What is Mental Health? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543

What is Mental Health? https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health

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ACTIVITIES/ASSESSMENTS: (Group Work)

Risk factors are associated with an increased likelihood of a mental illness being present
or developing. With these in mind, generate a list of what you presume are some of the risk
factors for mental illness.

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